I’m doing much the same. I’m at about 10 hours in and I’m starting to get the first half down. By this point I have the first 16 measures memorized. I can play through both hands very slowly and not with metronome yet. I’d love to be able to play it like a piano in that I look at the music and never at my hands. I’m hoping by the 15th one I’ll be able to do this as I’m afraid I’d forget the first 14 inventions. Oh yeah and as a person who has to punish myself want to learn the 15 sonfonias too. I’m crazy but obsessed with both these inventions and the Stick

I have just completed memorizing the 8th in F major. Still very far from gig ready though. I was a bit complacent after learning the first section, but the idea is to really press through as the component parts come full circle (just in related and/or relative keys). I realize now that reaching that memorization plateau is the first major milestone.

Once the memorization bit is tucked away, one can focus on embellishment and techniques for recovery if you lose your place. Make sure you can start the piece at any measure and on that note, I'll say something I never usually say.

Trust me. If you want to play inventions in a performance setting, you should know the piece well enough to start at any measure.

That level of confidence is earned, not handed out so if and when you get to that stage where you have the first section memorized, press on - date your work, take your notes and be ready for the next one! Air on a G string is next for me, but the second invention is tempting. The 2nd invention is unique among the collection in that it is truly a canon, it's a fascinating study. Looking forward to your updates Scotty, cheers.

Gene. Great tip about starting anywhere in any bar. Then you know exactly where you are at any point. I find there are certain parts I start at when I get lost so this is a great tip. Muscle memory is great until your memory slips lol

I applaud you guys for raising the bar here. Sounds like a tough go with this tune, very complex.....while I sit here and learn “take on me” by AHA.,,,deadpool 2 soundtrack, beautiful arrangement.

Looking forward to hearing the finished Bach guys....giterdun...

Cheers,
Kev

Hey Kevin Take On Me would be a great Stick tune. Looking forward to hearing it someday

Saw Deadpool2 on the plane last Friday. I was not disappointed.



Kevin, you would really enjoy the first Invention. Stitching it together, in concert with what you are already learning, isn't more difficult, it's just more structured.

Speaking of learning, I have to go back and listen to your version of "Don't go changing", that's a nice little add to the set list.

I’m still learning so will share a few more discoveries (for me at least) I find analyzing the piece and knowing what’s happening harmonically helps avoid wrong notes. Im learning to be more efficient using hand movement like Greg says but keeping hands in one spot as often as possible extra movement causes more problems or opportunity for problems. Also if a bar is causing trouble try a different approach. I’ve found I’ve had to unlearn a certain patterns and relearn them They are usually more efficient with arm movement being minimized. Now off to keep learning

...of course, to start at any point is required when playing by heart, it makes one free...
...but, better than thinking in bars and measures is to think, or feel in musical phrases,
or for inventions, to start from the entries of theme...

...anyway, it's a very good tip to work like this, Gene...

Although I can play this much better on the Stick now, I thought I'd create a guitar version of it. I think it's fun to listen to, so I thought I'd share it! Another, polished Stick version of this Bach thing should be coming up, anyways - enjoy!

pretty slick we ll call you Jayessbach instead of Kerr from now on. LOL